WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The military has called another 6,390 part-time Air Force and Navy troops to active duty, bringing to 41,392 the number of armed forces reserve and national guard members activated for the war on terrorism, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
President Bush signed an order last month authorizing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to activate up to 50,000 part-time troops for “homeland defense” and other duties in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack on America.
The 5,900 Air National Guard members activated in the latest call-up brought to 19,643 members of that service called, by far the largest number among the armed services.
An additional 490 naval reservists brought the total called up in that service to 5,240.
A total of 13,416 Army troops have been activated to date along with 2,481 Coast Guard personnel and 612 Marine Corps Reserve members.
